Telangana- Andhra Pradesh Water Dispute

In News: The dispute over the water share of Krishna river between Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) and Telangana remains unresolved, even nine years after the bifurcation of the combined State.

About Telangana-Andhra Pradesh Water Dispute

• Before formation of Andhra Pradesh (AP), four senior leaders from different regions of AP, signed an agreement with provisions to protect the needs and interests of Telangana with respect to the utilisation of water resources.
• In 1969, the Bachawat Tribunal (KWDT-I) was constituted to settle the dispute around water share among the riparian States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
• The Tribunal allocated 811 tmcft dependable water to AP and AP government later apportioned it in the 512:299 tmcft ratio between Andhra and Telangana, respectively,
• After bifurcation, there was no mention of water shares in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, since the KWDT-I Award had not made any region-wise allocation.
• At a meeting convened by the then Ministry of Water Resources in 2015, the two States agreed for sharing water in 34:66 (Telangana: A.P.) ratio as an ad hoc arrangement which was to be reviewed every year.
• Telangana has been arguing for 70% share of 811 tmcft, as per the basin parameters, however AP has also been staking a claim for a higher share of water to protect the interests of command areas already developed.
• The centre convened two meetings of the Apex Council consisting of Union Minister and Chief Ministers of both the states in 2016 and 2020 without resolving the issue.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/explained-the-telangana-andhra-pradesh-water-dispute/article66880971.ece